Professional Development
GroundSpark’s professional development workshops draw on the power of our Respect For All Project films to support educators, youth and human service providers, and other community leaders in addressing some of the most pressing educational and social issues of our times.
These issues include:
- Understanding differences
- Inclusive school climate
- Bias-based bullying
- Gender, race and sexuality issues
- Violence prevention
- Family diversity
- Homophobia
- LGBT inclusive education and community services
Since 2003, we have trained more than 15,000 people from schools, school districts, health service organizations, after school programs, universities, and community initiatives throughout the country. Our workshops are engaging, participatory, and designed to bridge the divide between knowledge and action.
Each training is customized to fit the specific needs of the school, district, organization, conference, and/or community we are working with. To design the best session for your needs, we have a thorough intake and collaboration process.
Sample session elements include:
- Guidance and resources for working with children and youth on issues of diversity, bias prevention, bullying, identity support, and the creation of safe school climates.
- A chance to view our films with facilitated pre- and post-discussions.
- Foundational research and conceptual models that support the use of the films and educational materials.
- Participation in sample curriculum activities.
- Guidance on conducting discussions with young people and adults about: family diversity, bias-based harassment; gender, race and sexuality; LGBT inclusivity; homophobia; bystander and ally behavior; and cultural competence.
- Planning time and tools for addressing these issues at the classroom, organizational, institutional or community level.
- Community-building, networking and coordination.
- Developing an action plan for how to move forward to implement change.
If desired, our trainings can be designed to support existing school- and community-based anti-bullying efforts, violence prevention projects, safe schools programs, cultural competence initiatives, and/or implementation of California’s 2011 FAIR Education Act (SB 48).
Our President and Senior Producer, Debra Chasnoff, who is also the director of our award-winning Respect For All Project documentaries, is also frequently a featured speaker for keynotes, conference presentations, film screenings, and other engagements. Learn more here.
For more information or to schedule a workshop or presentation in your area, please email us and tell us a little bit about what you are looking for.
We look forward to hearing from you!